Bato dela Rosa very open to Cha-cha but undecided on term extension proposal

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Thursday said he is "very open" to measures that seek to  amend the 1987 Constitution, particularly the economic provisions, but he has yet to decide on the proposals to extend the term of the president.

"Ako 'yung Charter change, very open ako diyan...'yung economic provisions pero kung mag-Charter change tayo, lahat-lahat na i-cover natin para once and for all ma-address 'yung mga lahat ng mga pakiramdam natin na kakulangan sa Saligang Batas. So lahat na iko-cover natin," Dela Rosa, who is set to join the "supermajority" in the 19th Congress, said in a phone interview with reporters.

(I am very open to Charter change...specifically on the economic provisions but if we will amend the Constitution, we should cover all the provisions so that we can address all the deficiencies once and for all.)

"Pero 'yung sabi mo 'yung re-election ng presidente, hindi pa ako nakapag-decide tungkol diyan," he added.

(But on the re-election of the president, I have not decided on that proposal yet.)

In an interview with Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who is poised to be the next Senate president, he said that amending the 1987 Constitution, particularly the extension of terms of elected officials, will not be the priority of the upper chamber in the 19th Congress.

Zubiri was reacting to a proposal in the House of Representatives which seeks to amend the Constitution and cut the president and vice president's terms to five years but allow one re-election.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a president can only serve for one term of six years and cannot seek reelection.

The  House bill which was filed by Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. also sought to "modify" the term of office of members of the House of Representatives, both district and party-list representatives and local executive officials, except senators and barangay elective officials. — RSJ, GMA News